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August 06, 2012

By RFE/RL

Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta (file photo)

Romania's left-of-center Prime Minister Victor Ponta has appointed new interior, justice, and foreign ministers in a cabinet reshuffle.

The move came shortly after Interior Minister Ioan Rus announced his resignation following widespread criticism about how he organized a referendum to impeach suspended President Traian Basescu.

The Constitutional Court has postponed a decision on whether to validate the July 29 referendum, which failed to reach the required 50 percent turnout threshold.

Rus resigned citing political pressure in the wake of the court's postponement.

Efforts by Ponta's Social Liberal Union to oust Basescu have brought Romania to a virtual standstill and sent the currency to record lows, prompting criticism from abroad.